NILES, Mich. -- Should undocumented migrant workers in Michigan be able to get a driver’s license? That was the topic of a forum held by the League of Women’s Voters of Berrien and Cass counties on Wednesday.

“It should not get confused with the rest of the immigration debate,” said Michigan State Representative Dave Pagel, “because it’s really not about citizenship.”

“The word has spread that Michigan is anti-immigrant, anti-driver’s license for immigrants,” said Theresa Hendricks, the executive director of Migrant Legal Aid in Grand Rapids.

Berrien County farmer Fred Leitz said the current situation makes it difficult for both him and his migrant workers.

“Because they can’t get a license, they can’t drive my vehicles,” Leitz said. “So it hurts them because they have no more room for advancement in our organization, number one. And number two, I can’t put anybody in a vehicle without a license.”

Paul Bailey, the sheriff of Berrien County, agreed something has to be done to make it easier for migrant workers in Michigan, but he did have some reservations.

“I have some concerns that those people that are not citizens of the United States would be picked to come serve on a jury,” Bailey said.

Juries are selected by driver’s license in Michigan, but state law states you have to be a U.S. citizen to actually sit on one.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that
supports HTML5 video